Apparatus, system, and method for emergency backup

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method quickly backs up data in an emergency situation and reduces battery backup dependence. The apparatus may include a backup module and a dedicated computer readable storage device. The backup module interfaces with system memory and selectively transmits modified data to the storage device in response to a detected system failure. The dedicated storage device stores the modified data around the outer edge of a hard disk in order to increase write performance. The system may include the backup module, the storage device, a plurality of client devices, and a plurality of storage devices. The method includes storing modified and unmodified data, detecting a system failure, and transmitting modified data stored in a memory module to a dedicated computer readable backup device. Upon rebooting the device, the method may include restoring the modified data to the system memory and destaging the modified data to the plurality of storage devices.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to data backup systems and more particularly relates to systems and methods for emergency data backup.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]The explosion of data created by modem business systems such as e-business is motivating companies of all sizes to make storage a strategic investment priority. As storage takes precedence, two major concerns have emerged: business continuity and business efficiency. Business continuity requires storage that supports data availability so employees, customers and trading partners can access data continuously through reliable, disaster-tolerant systems. Business efficiency, where storage is concerned, requires investment protection, reduced total cost of ownership, and high performance and manageability.[0005]In order to maintain the large amounts of data created and collected in these systems, storage area networks (SANs) have been developed. The ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This controller-client interaction consumes storage controller resources and performance.

However, in the event of a disaster, such as a power loss, the contents of the RAM are lost.

With the purpose of overcoming the power limitation of RAM memory, storage controllers are often coupled to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

The switch to battery, however, can require several milliseconds, during which time the computer is not receiving any power.

In general, on-line UPSs are much more expensive than SPSs.

This solution requires no additional hardware, but with the increasing amounts of RAM in current storage controllers, this may be a slow process.

Additionally, the shut-down process requires the use of the boot disk, and therefore the modified data dump competes with the shut-down process and therefore requires extra time.

Time directly translates to product cost because a larger UPS system is required in order to supply power to the system while the shut-down process runs.

While this system is effective and eliminates the conflicts with the boot disk, the device adds to the maintenance and cost of the storage controller.

Images